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Coming Off 1MG Klonopin after on 1 Week On It - Help Please

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Posted 9/24/2007 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
I was on 1 mg Klonopin for almost eight months last year, and was involved in a car accident in December. I became incredibly ill and stopped all my meds, including the Klonopin because my stomach wouldn't tolerate anything (even food). I spent the next five months sick, and was diagnosed with Gastroparesis. I didn't take anything at this time except Phenergan. A few weeks ago I started waking up frequently because I've been under a lot of stress and thought "hey, I've still got the klonopin". I took it for 6 to 7 days, then stopped because my tummy was starting to bother me and I didn't feel it was helping all that much. Within a few days, I was down to sleeping only four hours and steadily decreasing. My stomach was a mess and my nervous system on the brink. I finally broke down on Thursday and took one, which made me feel really good and I got sleep. I haven't taken any others since this past Thursday and sleep is becoming challenging. I now realize after doing my research that benzo's have to be tapered...wish my doctor had shared that last year because I never would have started it (I had a mild anxiety problem related to being alone at night). I can only assume that I went through withdraw earlier this year from those 7 months I was on it in 2006, but thought it was all Gastroparesis related symptoms.

So my question is, can anyone tell me how long it'll take for 7 days worth of 1mg Klonopin to clear my system and will my sleep return to normal even though I'm getting used to waking up constantly. How long with withdraw symptoms last? Based on the half life, I'm guessing it could be up to 3 weeks. I'm dealing with anxiety through lots of prayer and reading the Bible, but for the most part its not noticeable unless I sleep really bad. If I do have to taper, can anyone tell me for how long since I'd only been back on the drug for 1 week and could you suggest a schedule. Thanks.
Posted 9/24/2007 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Did you take the Klonopin twice a day, .5 mg's at a time? Or just once a day? Either way I don't think it's much of a difference. A week isn't very long. I'm sure there will be other opinions about this.

I don't understand how you could be mistakenly diagnosed with gastroparesis, though. It was suspected that I that once, and the GI told me the only real test for it is a gastric emptying exam. What happens and doesn't happen during that test is clear even to the patient, because you can see the medium moving or not moving through you on a monitor. When I passed the test, my GI said it was clear I didn't have gastroparesis...that it's not a condition that comes and goes. You have it or you don't.
Posted 9/24/2007 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
I took the 1MG around 10:00pm at night. I've never tried breaking it up, because I always thought of it as more of a sleep aid. They did a stomach empty, which showed my stomach wasn't emptying properly. I had been having problems with it for a few years. I just think I happened to go through withdrawl at the same time, without realizing I was going through withdrawl. My doctor never told me anything about going off klonopin. I am getting anywhere from 3.0 to 5.0 hours a night, just off and on, which I still consider to be an answer to prayer. Sometimes its very hard to get to sleep despite being very tired, which is the most frustrating part, and I can't nap during the day for the same reason. I think in part that is because of the anxiety my brain now wants to associate with sleeping. I've tried valerian root twice, not sure if it made a difference.
Posted 9/24/2007 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there aims! As Debaser said, I don't think a week is a long time with the Klonopin. If you are using it for sleep, I have a few suggestions...

Stop taking the Klonopin. Try using something like Simply Sleep to help you get some sleep at night. It is made by Tylenol, and it compares to Tylenol PM only there is no pain reliever in it. I use it, and within a half hour, I am so tired, I cannot stay awake. You shouldn't use it every day, and if your sleep problems continue, I would suggest talking to your doctor, as there may be something else going on. I would though, stop taking the Klonopin. If you are worried about withdrawl symptoms, call your doctor, or even a pharmasist, and assure that you will be ok after one week of use, but I really think you will be fine.

I know how it is to not get sleep...it isn't much fun.

So, I welcome you to healingwell, and I wish you all the best in feeling better~!
Posted 9/24/2007 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW

You have been given great input so far and because I do not take this med I am not going to even guess at the w/d time or if thats even what it is ............

I HONESTLY would talk to your doc and or pharmacist and see what is sadi
You say you get no sleep...........you can take this med for that or ask for something that is not a benzo...........

Personally I take trazadone and a hot milk at nght every night and sleep a great 4 6 hrs solid ........wake refreshed no hangover feeling at all

I do hope you wil stay with us here and get the support you need

Take care and again

WELCOME
Posted 9/25/2007 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hey aims. i took klonopin for only 2 weeks and experienced double anxiety for a week after quitting cold turkey(i think i was taking alittle more then 1 mg tho. maybe the last few days i was taking 2mg but slowly worked up to it).

I also started xanax during this week of double anxiety (only took it twice a week) which gave me relief from the withdrawal. i thought it was the xanax giving me this rebound anxiety cause i didnt think 2 weeks on klonopin would give me that nasty extra anxiety. its nearly 2 weeks since i quit K and still feel alittle weird (its hard to tell day by day whats causing it tho).

I'm glad K never did anything for me cause its not something i would want to be on if i got that nasty withdrawal from taking it merely 2 weeks. xanax seems my only option, relying on a benzo everyday is very risky business
Posted 9/25/2007 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
tell me about it, I'll be doing my 3rd attempt at coming of K next month. I'm going to try to slowly lower it a bit at home so it's not as much in hospital. It's awful when the med you take to treat anxiety actually makes it worse. sad
Posted 10/1/2007 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Saw my doctor (PCP) today after two weeks off Klonopin. Sleeping has been terrible, body feels like its got the mother of all flus. She wants me to go back on it, thinks its a great drug. Even thinks I may need something like Paxil on top of that. Aughhh, what is wrong with medical professionals. Yes, I know this is mostly in my mind, but putting me on a drug thats going to mess me up in the long term is not a solution. Not sure if I've still got any of the drug in my system, or if I'm now at the point where I'm fighting against my brain. So tempted to pop a Klonopin, to ease pain, but holding out.
Posted 10/2/2007 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing what is going on with you

The paxil might help but I am not really an authority on these type of meds.......

I take ativan and or Valium........I was on valium for many many yrs .....Happy to say I rarely take anything now .......I use my self help techniques more ........Only use the benzo's when really needed........

IMHO........If things get that bad for you I dont think taking one K would hurt you ............BUT that is entirely your decision

Keep us posted on your day to day fight

LYN
I am proud of you
Posted 10/3/2007 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
I had no problem on Klonopin withdrawl. Some times I take it every day (1mg) for a week, then I wont take it for 2 weeks. Never seems to bother me. Now, Lexapro or other SSRI meds hit me hard if I miss more than one day.
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